The Best Movies of 2005
1.
Munich
“Munich,” the best film of the year, is unlike any movie
put out in theaters during 2005. Steven Spielberg has made his best movie since
“Schindler’s List,” telling the story of Avner (Eric Bana), a Mossad agent hired
to track down and kill 11 Israeli terrorists who may or may not have taken part
in the murder of Olympic athletes in Munich in 1972. Controversy has surrounded
“Munich” since the beginning, but once viewing the film, it is apparent
Spielberg is not attempting to take sides.
2.
Brokeback
Mountain
This is a very close second, and just as deserving for a
Best Picture Oscar as “Munich.” Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal star as two
cowboys who fall in love over one summer in the 1960’s while working as ranch
hands, but are unable to find acceptance from their society. Both eventually get
married to women, and are forced to live a life of secrecy. “Brokeback Mountain”
is an important movie but also a very sad one – ignore the controversy and see
the film.
3.
Capote
“Capote” is the thrilling true story of author Truman
Capote (Phillip Seymour Hoffman, giving a brilliant performance), who wrote the
novel In Cold Blood after researching the murder of a family in Kansas,
along with his friend Harper Lee (Catherine Keener), the author of To Kill A
Mockingbird.
4.
Syriana
“Syriana” is a thought-provoking masterpiece that, along
with “Good Night, and Good Luck,” catapults George Clooney’s career into
Oscar-town. Stephen Gaghan, who wrote “Traffic,” directs this political film
with a vicious tone, and although many will dismiss the movie as ‘unworthy’
simply because they are unable to follow the twisty plot, “Syriana” will
ultimately be appreciated by those with the intelligence to enjoy a movie that
actually asks questions, a quality missing from recent films.
5.
Crash
Paul Haggis, the writer of “Million Dollar Baby,” wrote and
directed “Crash,” a powerful look at Los Angeles citizens of all different
races. Because the film opened in May, it might get the same minimal treatment
“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” received last year at the Academy
Awards. Whatever the case be, “Crash” is a great film.
6.
Walk the Line
Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon’s performances as
singers Johnny Cash and June Carter alone make “Walk the Line” worth watching,
but something else – perhaps the legend of Cash himself – inhabits the film and
gives the entire movie that deep, meaningful feeling always found in the Man in
Black’s music. Of course, this is coming from someone who practically sang along
for half the movie. “Walk the Line” pushes you into the ring of fire, and boy
does it burn, burn, burn.
7.
Match Point
“Match Point” is the best Woody Allen film in a long time,
although admittedly the director hasn’t exactly been making classics along the
lines of “Annie Hall” (although I admit to being a fan of “Small Time Crooks.”)
Many people have cited his change in location as his reason for success (New
York City to London), but I’d like to think it would be the change in genre.
“Match Point” is more of a drama/thriller, unlike Allen’s usual slapstick farces
(“Bananas,” one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen, is a good example.)
8.
Good Night, and Good Luck/ Sin
City
“Sin City” is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Adapted from
Frank Miller’s graphic novels, Robert Rodriguez’s film combines storylines from
three “Sin City” graphic stories, including “The Hard Goodbye,” “The Big Fat
Kill,” and “That Yellow Bastard.” Mickey Rourke and Bruce Willis stand out in a
gigantic cast that includes Rosario Dawson, Clive Owen, Elijah Wood, Benicio Del
Toro, Michael Madsen and Jessica Alba.
George Clooney directs David Strathairn, an actor who I’ve
always admired, as Edward R. Murrow, the host of CBS show “See It Now” in the
1950’s. Murrow’s determination to dethrone anti-Communist Senator Joseph
McCarthy is wonderfully shown by Clooney, who should earn three Oscar
nominations this year, for directing and writing “Good Night and Good Luck” and
for his performance in “Syriana.”
9.
Jarhead/ Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
Don’t pay any attention to “Jarhead’s” mediocre reviews and
box office – it’s the best military drama since “Black Hawk Down.” Jake
Gyllenhaal plays real-life Gulf War soldier Anthony Swofford, who enlists in the
Marines to defend his country in Iraq. After long periods of brutal training, he
and his fellow comrades are sent to Iraq, only to go stir-crazy, waiting for
combat that might not ever occur. Welcome to the Suck, indeed.
“Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” is one of the funniest and most
original films all year. Writer/director Shane Black’s movie is fresh and
completely satirical when it comes to film noir clichés, managing to dig at the
staleness of modern thrillers while creating its own genre and style. Its movies
like this that make me glad I review films. Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer are
both great.
 
10. Wedding
Crashers/ The 40 Year-Old Virgin
These are the two funniest movies of the year – actually,
the two funniest movies I’ve seen in years. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson play
divorce lawyers who crash weddings in “Wedding Crashers,” and Steve Carell stars
as “The 40 Year-Old Virgin” – the title says it all on that one.
Runners-Up: The Constant Gardener, A History of
Violence, Broken Flowers, Hustle and Flow, Pride and Prejudice, Cinderella Man,
Shopgirl, Batman Begins, Layer Cake, Lord of War, The Weather Man, The New
World, The Ballad of Jack and Rose, Elizabethtown, King Kong, Proof, The Upside
of Anger
Other awards:
Best Picture – Munich
Best Director – Steven Spielberg, Munich
Best Actor – Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain/ Phillip
Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Best Actress – Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Best Supporting Actor – George Clooney, Syriana
Best Supporting Actress – Michelle Williams, Brokeback
Mountain
Worst Movies of 2005:
- Fantastic Four
- XXX: State of the Union
- The Greatest Game Ever Played
- The Honeymooners
- White Noise
- The Pacifier
- The Wedding Date
- Constantine
- Monster In-Law
- Herbie: Fully Loaded
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